Browsing by Author "Deacon, Paul"
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Item Metadata only An alternative carrier solvent for fingermark enhancement reagents(Elsevier, 2017-12-11) Olszowska, Izabela; Deacon, Paul; Lindsay, Maurice; Lesniewski, Adam; Niedziolka-Jonssona, Joanna; Farrugia, Kevin J.Solstice® Performance Fluid (PF), trans-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, is presented as an alternative to HFE7100, methoxy-nonafluorobutane, as a carrier solvent in a number of chemical formulations used for the visualisation of latent fingermarks. The supply of HFE7100 may be at riskdue to a recent European Union regulation to control global warming. Laboratory trials using split depletions and a pseudo-operational trial of 1000 porous samples have shown that Solstice® PF is a viable alternative to HFE7100 for the chemical formulations of ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione. Other preliminary trials have also indicated that Solstice® PF can be used as a carrier solvent for the zinc toning of marks found using ninhydrin as well as the α-naphtholflavone fixative solution for iodine developed marks. Results from the pseudo-operational trial demonstrate that the number of marks detected by ninhydrin and 1,2-indanedione formulations for each carrier solvent is comparable. When compared to HFE7100, advantages of Solstice® PF include a very low global warming potential and atmospheric lifetime in addition to a higher wetting index and lower costs. This study also provides a validation study that supports the potential replacement of DFO with 1,2-indanedione.Item Open Access An Assessment of a Portable Cyanoacrylate Fuming System (LumiFume) for the Development of Latent Fingermarks(Forensic Science International, 2019-10-03) Jones, Calum; Fraser, Joanna; Deacon, Paul; Lindsay, Maurice; Carlysle-Davies, Felicity; Farrugia, Kevin J.The effectiveness and suitability of a portable cyanoacrylate fuming system (LumiFume™) with Lumicyano™ at detecting latent fingermarks was assessed. The first phase of the study compared the LumiFume™ system with traditional cabinet fuming and black/white powder suspension for the development of latent fingermarks on a variety of surfaces (glass, plastic bin bag, laminated wood and tile) by means of depletion series’ from 10 donors and four ageing periods (1, 7, 14 and 28 days). The portable fuming system provided superior quality of developed marks on glass and laminated wood whereas powder suspension was better on bin bags and all three techniques were comparable on tile. A decrease in mark quality was recorded from 1-14 days for the fuming techniques before an increase at 28 days. Lumicyano™ fluorescence stability studies over a 28 day period by means of depletion series’ on glass slides and plastic bin bags revealed better quality marks for the portable system LumiFume™; however, storing marks under light conditions expedited deterioration for both systems. All marks developed with Lumicyano™ were subsequently treated with BY40 resulting in further improvement in mark quality for all substrates and ageing periods, with the exception of laminated wood which absorbed the fluorescent stain reducing the contrast in the process. The second phase of the study consisted of a pseudo-operational trial on 300 various substrates (e.g. glass bottles, aluminium cans, plastic bags) recovered from recycling bins. LumiFume™ and Lumicyano™ yielded 1,469 marks whereas Lumicyano™ cabinet fuming and powder suspension yielded 1,026 and 641 marks respectively. Similar to the first phase of the study, further treatment of the Lumicyano™ treated marks with BY40 resulted in further quality improvement as well as additional new marks. The LumiFume™ system produced results at least equivalent to the traditional cabinet fuming with Lumicyano™ highlighting its potential for implementation into casework to process crime scenes.Item Metadata only Chemical enhancement of soil-based marks on nonporous surfaces followed by gelatin lifting(Journal of Forensic Identification, 2014-11) Hammell, Louise; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.This study assessed the use of processing techniques (potassium thiocyanate, 2-2-dipyridil, potassium ferrocyanide, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate, safranin, magnetic powder) for the enhancement of soil-based marks on nonporous surfaces, followed by gelatin lifting for the recovery of these marks. Other variables in the study included the use of nonporous substrates with varying colors (ceramic tiles, glass, linoleum, plastic bags, leaflets) and different aging periods (1, 7, 14, and 28 days) prior to enhancement and gelatin lifting. A numerical grading system from -1 (deterioration) to 4 (recovery of all fine detail) was adopted to assess the quality of the enhancement achieved. In this study, the two most effective chemical enhancement techniques for soil-based marks on nonporous surfaces were safranin and potassium thiocyanate, specifically on grey linoleum and white ceramic tiles. One-day aging of soil-based marks provided poor results, whereas 28-day aging periods provided superior enhancement. In general, lifting with gelatin lifts provided further improvement on the initial enhancement, by means of contrast and sharpness. However, the use of gelatin lifting sometimes resulted in the deterioration of the original mark. Marks treated with safranin and lifted with white gelatin lifts provided even further improvement through fluorescence examination.Item Metadata only A comparison between atmospheric/humidity and vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming of latent fingermarks(Elsevier, 2015-07-28) Fraser, Joanna; Friel, Laurel; Adams, Duncan; Attard-Montalto, Nicola; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.A number of pseudo-operational trials were set up to compare the atmospheric/humidity and vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming processes on plastic carrier bags. The fuming processes were compared using two-step cyanoacrylate fuming with basic yellow 40 (BY40) staining and a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate fuming, Lumicyano 4%. Preliminary work using planted fingermarks and split depletions were performed to identify the optimum vacuum fuming conditions. The first pseudo-operational trial compared the different fuming conditions (atmospheric/humidity vs. vacuum) for the two-step process where an additional 50% more marks were detected with the atmospheric/humidity process. None of the marks by the vacuum process could be observed visually; however, a significant number of marks were detected by fluorescence after BY40 staining. The second trial repeated the same work in trial 1 using the one-step cyanoacrylate process, Lumicyano at a concentration of 4%. Trial 2 provided comparable results to trial 1 and all the items were then re-treated with Lumicyano 4% at atmospheric/humidity conditions before dyeing with BY40 to provide the sequences of process A (Lumicyano 4% atmospheric - Lumicyano 4% atmospheric - BY40) and process B (Lumicyano 4% vacuum - Lumicyano 4% atmospheric - BY40). The number of marks (visual and fluorescent) was counted after each treatment with a substantial increase in the number of detected marks in the second and third treatments of the process. The increased detection rate after the double Lumicyano process was unexpected and may have important implications. Trial 3 was performed to investigate whether the amount of cyanoacrylate and/or fuming time had an impact on the results observed in trial 2 whereas trial 4 assessed if the double process using conventional cyanoacrylate, rather than Lumicyano 4%, provided an increased detection rate. Trials 3 and 4 confirmed that doubling the amount of Lumicyano 4% cyanoacrylate and fuming time produced a lower detection rate than the double process with Lumicyano 4%. Furthermore, the double process with conventional cyanoacrylate did not provide any benefit. Scanning electron microscopy was also performed to investigate the morphology of the cyanoacrylate polymer under different conditions. The atmospheric/humidity process appears to be superior to the vacuum process for both the two-step and one-step cyanoacrylate fuming, although the two-step process performed better in comparison to the one-step process under vacuum conditions. Nonetheless, the use of vacuum cyanoacrylate fuming may have certain operational advantages and its use does not adversely affect subsequent cyanoacrylate fuming with atmospheric/humidity conditions.Item Metadata only The effect of cyanoacrylate fuming on subsequent protein stain enhancement of fingermarks in blood(Journal of Forensic Identification, 2018-06-12) Mutter, Nicole; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.This study investigates the effect of cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming, at atmospheric and vacuum conditions, on subsequent protein stain (acid violet 17) enhancement of fingermarks in blood. Fingermark depletions in blood were deposited on three nonporous surfaces (e.g., plastic bag) and aged for a set period of time (up to 28 days) before enhancement with the water-ethanol-acetic acid and methanol formulations of acid violet 17 (AV17). All trials were carried out in duplicate. One depletion was pre-treated with CA fuming followed by the enhancement technique and the other depletion was treated with only the enhancement technique (control). As expected, atmospheric CA fuming hindered the subsequent enhancement of blood with the AV17 water-ethanol-acetic acid formulation but not the methanol formulation. The same observations were also recorded under vacuum CA fuming conditions. Preliminary work with vacuum metal deposition did not hinder subsequent AV17 protein stain enhancement with either formulation.Item Metadata only The effect of mark enhancement techniques on the presumptive and confirmatory tests for blood(Elsevier, 2018-06-30) Stewart, Vanessa; Deacon, Paul; Zahra, Natalie; Uchimoto, Mari; Farrugia, Kevin J.An investigation into the effects of physical and chemical enhancement on subsequent presumptive and confirmatory tests for human blood is presented. Human blood was deposited onto porous (white 80gsm paper and brown envelope) and non-porous (tile and linoleum) substrates in a depletion series (30 depletions on non-porous and 20 on porous) and subjected to three ageing periods; 1, 7 and 28 days. A number of enhancement techniques were tested [fluorescence, black magnetic powder (BMP), iron-oxide black powder suspension (PS), cyanoacrylate (CA) fuming, acid violet 17 (AV17), acid yellow 7 (AY7), ninhydrin, DFO and Bluestar Forensic Magnum (BFM) luminol] to evaluate their potential effects on subsequent presumptive and confirmatory tests. AV17 and Bluestar provided the best enhancement and fully enhanced all depletions in the series. The sensitivity of the Kastle-Meyer (KM) (presumptive), Takayama and RSID-Blood tests (confirmatory) was initially investigated to determine the range of detectable depletions. The KM test detected all depletions, whereas the Takayama test detected up to depletion 6 and RSID-Blood detected up to depletion 20 (paper), 10 (envelope), 15 (tile) and 9 (lino). The abilities of these tests to detect blood after enhancement were then observed. A number of techniques resulted in little to no effect on any of the blood tests, whereas adverse effects were observed for others. Ninhydrin and CA fuming caused weak but instantaneous positive KM results whereas methanol-based AV17 and AY7 delayed the reaction by as much as 1 min. The Takayama test was not very sensitive, therefore, its performance was easily affected by enhancement and negative results were often observed. RSID-Blood tests were largely unaffected by chemical enhancement although a drop in positive results was observed for some of the techniques when compared to positive controls. Using a standard procedure for DNA extraction, all the tested blood samples (before and after enhancement) gave a detectable quantity of DNA and were successfully profiled. Out of the 45 samples processed for DNA profiling, 44 gave full profiles, while the remaining showed allele drop out in one or two loci.Item Metadata only The effect of mark enhancement techniques on the subsequent detection of saliva(Elsevier, 2016-05-12) McAllister, Patricia; Eleanor, Graham A; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.There appears to be a limited but growing body of research on the sequential analysis/treatment of multiple types of evidence. The development of an integrated forensic approach is necessary to maximise evidence recovery and to ensure that a particular treatment is not detrimental to other types of evidence. This study aims to assess the effect of latent and blood mark enhancement techniques (e.g. fluorescence, ninhydrin, acid violet 17, black iron-oxide powder suspension) on the subsequent detection of saliva. Saliva detection was performed by means of a presumptive test (Phadebas®) in addition to analysis by a rapid stain identification (RSID) kit test and confirmatory DNA testing. Additional variables included a saliva depletion series and a number of different substrates with varying porosities as well as different ageing periods. Examination and photography under white light and fluorescence was carried out prior to and after chemical enhancement All enhancement techniques (except Bluestar® Forensic Magnum luminol) employed in this study resulted in an improved visualisation of the saliva stains, although the inherent fluorescence of saliva was sometimes blocked after chemical treatment. The use of protein stains was, in general, detrimental to the detection of saliva. Positive results were less pronounced after the use of black iron-oxide powder suspension, cyanoacrylate fuming followed by BY40 and ninhydrin when compared to the respective positive controls. The application of Bluestar® Forensic Magnum luminol and black magnetic powder proved to be the least detrimental, with no significant difference between the test results and the positive controls. The use of non-destructive fluorescence examination provided good visualisation; however, only the first few marks in the depletion were observed. Of the samples selected for DNA analysis only depletion 1 samples contained sufficient DNA quantity for further processing using standard methodology. The 28 day delay between sample deposition and collection resulted in a 5-fold reduction in the amount of useable DNA. When sufficient DNA quantities were recovered, enhancement techniques did not have a detrimental effect on the ability to generate DNA profiles. This study aims to contribute to a strategy for maximising evidence recovery and efficiency for the detection of latent marks and saliva. The results demonstrate that most of the enhancement techniques employed in this study were not detrimental to the subsequent detection of saliva by means of presumptive, confirmative and DNA tests.Item Metadata only The effect of mark enhancement techniques on the subsequent detection of semen/spermatozoa(Elsevier, 2014-09-03) Deacon, Paul; Phillips, Darren; Farrugia, Kevin J.; Simmons, Rory K.Fingermarks, footwear marks, blood and semen are amongst the most commonly encountered types of evidence at crime scenes. Previous work has extensively investigated fingermark and blood enhancement techniques and a sequence developed to maximise evidence recovery; however, there is limited research as to the effect of these techniques on the subsequent detection of body fluids such as semen. In this study, seven fingermark and blood enhancement techniques (e.g. powder suspension, cyanoacrylate fuming and acid violet 17) were employed followed by the subsequent detection of semen/spermatozoa. Other variables included in the study were the use of two substrates (white ceramic tiles and grey laminate flooring), a depletion series and ageing periods of 1, 7, 14 and 28 days. The effect these techniques had on the subsequent detection of semen was assessed by visual and fluorescence examination followed by presumptive and confirmatory testing for semen and spermatozoa. Results found that protein stains (acid violet 17 and acid yellow 7) caused a loss in presumptive test reactivity; however, sperm heads were still observed using microscopic examination after extraction and staining. The use of black magnetic powder, Bluestar® Forensic Magnum luminol, Lumicyano™ 4% and cyanoacrylate fuming followed by basic yellow 40 staining did not hinder subsequent presumptive and confirmatory tests for semen and sperm heads. Powder suspension caused a loss in both presumptive test reactivity and sperm heads from the substrate. In general, the enhancement techniques resulted in the improved visualisation of the semen stains under white and violet/blue light. The results from this study aim to provide a strategy to maximise evidence recovery and improve efficiency in an integrated forensic approach.Item Open Access Evaluation of a Hot Print System for the development of latent fingermarks on thermal paper: A pseudo-operational trial(Elsevier, 2019-08-12) Robb, Kiera; Deacon, Paul; Fordyce, Laura; Fennessy, Rebecca; Farrugia, Kevin J.Enhancement of latent fingermarks on thermal paper poses a number of problems when using traditional methods used for porous substrates due to blackening of the thermal layer as a result of polar solvents present within the reagents and high temperatures oxidising the acid/dye complex. Thus, methods which prevent such reactions are favoured for the development of latent prints on said substrates. A comparative pseudo-operational trial using UV, Hot Print System (HPS), ninhydrin and ThermaNIN was performed on 1000 thermal paper substrates gathered from various sources. The results indicated that the most effective method was an acetone pre-wash followed by ninhydrin. The sequence of HPS-ninhydrin was similarly effective when compared to ninhydrin as a sole technique. ThermaNIN produced fewer marks than ninhydrin but was superior to HPS. Whilst the HPS developed some fingermarks, there was only a very small number of marks uniquely developed by it.Item Metadata only Evaluation of Lumicyano cyanoacrylate fuming process for the development of latent fingermarks on plastic carrier bags by means of a pseudo operational comparative trial(Elsevier, 2013-11-13) Deacon, Paul; Fraser, Joanna; Farrugia, Kevin J.There are a number of studies discussing recent developments of a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate process. This study is a pseudo operational trial to compare an example of a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate product, Lumicyano™, with the two recommended techniques for plastic carrier bags; cyanoacrylate fuming followed by basic yellow 40 (BY40) dyeing and powder suspensions. 100 plastic carrier bags were collected from the place of work and the items were treated as found without any additional fingermark deposition. The bags were split into three and after treatment with the three techniques a comparable number of fingermarks were detected by each technique (average of 300 fingermarks). The items treated with Lumicyano™ were sequentially processed with BY40 and an additional 43 new fingermarks were detected. Lumicyano™ appears to be a suitable technique for the development of fingermarks on plastic carrier bags and it can help save lab space and time as it does not require dyeing or drying procedures. Furthermore, contrary to other one-step cyanoacrylate products, existing cyanoacrylate cabinets do not require any modification for the treatment of articles with Lumicyano™. To date, there is little peer reviewed articles in the literature on trials related to Lumicyano™ and this study aims to contribute to fill this gap.Item Open Access Further pseudo-operational trials with the Lumicyano double and co-fuming process for the detection of latent fingermarks(Wiley, 2019-07-31) Hunter, Danielle; Wilson, Clarice; Hay, Stef; Sherriffs, Paul; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.This study presents a number of pseudo-operational trials on plastic bags investigating the double and co-fuming process of a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate (LumicyanoTM) with comparisons to the two-step process with basic yellow 40 (BY40) staining for the detection of latent fingermarks. The results demonstrate that both the Lumicyano solution and dye contribute to the increased detection of latent fingermarks during the double fuming process (trial 1). Co-fuming the Lumicyano solution and dye separately (at a concentration of 8%) but simultaneously was less effective than 8% Lumicyano (trial 2). Co-fuming Lumicyano 8% and an additional 8% Lumicyano dye by weight was more effective than Lumicyano 8% (trial 3), possibly due to increased fluorescent material deposition during co-fuming allowing for better visualisation. The use of BY40 after Lumicyano resulted in a considerable increase of detected fingermarks.Item Open Access Further research into alternative carrier solvents for the detection of latent fingermarks.(Elsevier, 2024-04-02) Able, Joel; Armitage, Rachel; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.A number of solvents, (Solstice PF, Opteon SF33 and Amolea AS-300), are compared to the recommended carrier solvent of HFE7100 for the ninhydrin and 1,2-indandione formulations. As the supply of HFE7100 will cease by the end of 2025, suitable alternatives are required in the short-term to ensure the detection of latent fingermarks on porous surfaces is still effective. Although these solvents, with the exception of Amolea AS-300, are classified as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); they are not classed as hazardous. The alternatives in this study have a low global warming potential and atmospheric lifetime and are volatile, non-flammable and non-ozone depleting, in addition to other desirable properties such as a high wetting-index. During Phase 2 trials with deposited fingermarks, HFE7100 provided the best performing results followed by Opteon SF33, Solstice PF and Amolea AS-300. A significant difference with a negligible effect size was observed for ninhydrin formulations (p-value 0.00179; ε 0.00418) while a significant difference with a weak effect size was observed for 1,2-indanedione formulations (p-value 2.095 E-10 ; ε 0.0167). Furthermore, HFE7100 provided the least ink diffusion and the brightest 1,2-indanedione luminosity (significant difference with a moderate effect size p-value 1.772 E-13; ε 0.0434) but the HFE formulation turned cloudy more quickly and needed regular replacements. Phase 3 pseudo-operational trials of 100 porous items followed a similar trend whereby HFE7100 formulations detected the highest number of marks followed by Opteon SF33 and Solstice PF. Although HFE7100 is still the best performing carrier solvent, this study demonstrates that, in the short-term, Opteon SF33 and Solstice PF may have potential as non-flammable replacement carrier solvents while developing the long-term goal of solvent-less methods.Item Open Access An investigation into the detection of latent fingermarks on eco-friendly soft plastics packaging(Elsevier, 2022-05-17) Illston-Baggs, Gabrielle; Deacon, Paul; Ivanova, Julia; Nichols-Drew, L.; Armitage, Rachel; Farrugia, Kevin J.Eco-friendly materials can present a challenge to fingermark recovery due to the variety of physical and chemical properties. Currently, there are no recommended guidelines for the recovery of latent fingermarks from eco- friendly soft plastics packaging. This work presents Phase 2 research trials for the detection of latent finger- marks on 13 different types of eco-friendly soft plastics packaging. In addition, these Phase 2 trials investigated other variables such as different fingermark donors, depletion series, ageing periods and a number of enhancement techniques that were assessed individually and in sequence with each other. The detection of latent fingermarks varied across the different substrates tested in this study and there was no specific sequence that favoured all of them. Nonetheless, sequence A (cyanoacrylate fuming - fluorescent dye staining – vacuum metal deposition) provided the highest amount of identifiable fingermarks overall. This is also the recommended sequence in the Fingermark Visualisation Manual for soft plastic packaging such as high- and low-density polyethylene plastic bags. The use of powder suspensions was the least successful across all sub- strates. The use of water and solvents present in certain enhancement techniques resulted in a negative effect on the structure and texture of some substrates used in this study. Statistical analysis of mark gradings from developed marks highlighted significant differences across substrates, ageing periods, donors and enhancement sequences. This work demonstrates that the current sequence in the FVM for soft plastics packaging is a good starting point for the detection of latent fingermarks on eco-friendly soft plastics packaging.Item Metadata only A preliminary investigation into the use of alginates for the lifting and enhancement of fingermarks in blood(Elsevier, 2013-12-19) Munro, Mhairi; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.Recent studies have reported the use of alginate in the lifting and subsequent enhancement of footwear marks in blood. A study was set up to assess the use of such a method in the treatment of fingermarks in blood on a variety of porous, non-porous and semi-porous surfaces. Other variables included ageing of the fingermarks in blood and the application of chemicals prior to or post-alginate lifting. All different variations were compared to direct chemical treatment of the substrate. The results demonstrated that alginate is not compatible with certain substrates (e.g. glass and tile). On substrates that were compatible with alginate (e.g. fabric and paper), the enhanced fingermarks on the alginate cast and the enhanced fingermarks on the post-alginate substrates appeared, overall, inferior compared to direct chemical enhancement without the use of alginate. A further variation using water-based protein stains directly mixed with the alginate appeared to provide enhancement directly on the substrate as well as simultaneous lifting and enhancing the fingermarks in blood on the alginate cast.Item Open Access A pseudo-operational trial: An investigation into the use of longwave reflected UV imaging of cyanoacrylate developed fingermarks.(Elsevier, 2021-06-12) Illston-Baggs, Gabrielle; Deacon, Paul; Ivanova, Julia; Nichols-Drew, L.; Farrugia, Kevin J.This work presents a pseudo-operational study on plastic bags for the detection of latent fingermarks with various types of cyanoacrylates, including the two-step process with basic yellow 40 (BY40) staining and one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylates, Lumicyano and Polycyano. The use of longwave reflected UV (LWRUV) was employed as part of sequential development for all processes; however, detected marks were not unique as subsequent BY40 staining detected these marks as well. The use of BY40 in the sequence is very important, as without its inclusion many fingermarks would be missed. The study also investigated the use of a standard glass camera lens for LWRUV imaging and compared observations to a specific crystal quartz lens designed for UV imaging. The standard glass lens was able to detect all the marks detected with the crystal quartz lens. Lumicyano detected the lowest overall number of marks and both one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate processes yielded less marks when compared to the two-step process; however, the use of BY40 after Lumicyano and Polycyano resulted in an increase of detected fingermarks. The use of BY40 did not have a major detrimental effect on subsequent LWRUV imaging, although there was no added evidential value.Item Metadata only Pseudo-operational trials of Lumicyano solution and Lumicyano powder for the detection of latent fingermarks on various substrates(Journal of Forensic Identification, 2014-11) Fraser, Joanna; Calder, Nicola; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.This study presents pseudo-operational trials comparing a one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate process with a number of other enhancement techniques on a variety of substrates. This one-step process involves a product, 4% Lumicyano, which is a solution consisting of 4% by weight of a powdered dye (Lumicyano powder) dissolved in a cyanoacrylate-based solution (Lumicyano solution). The cyanoacrylate in the Lumicyano solution may be of a higher quality than that used in the two-step products. One hundred items were collected from the place of work for each trial. Trial 1 involved a comparison of 4% Lumicyano with the conventional two-step cyanoacrylate fuming-dye staining for the detection of latent fingermarks on plastic carrier bags. Trial 2 assessed the quality of the Lumicyano solution (with no powdered dye) but used in a two-step process with basic yellow 40 (BY40). Trial 1, using 4% Lumicyano powder and traditional cyanoacrylate → BY40 detected a similar amount of fingermarks (~295); however, sequential BY40 treatment (i.e., after 4% Lumicyano) detected an additional 30% marks. Trial 2 resulted in the detection of 565 marks after Lumicyano solution → BY40 in comparison to 489 marks after traditional cyanoacrylate fuming and BY40 staining. Trials 3 through 5 compared 4% Lumicyano, 1,2-indanedione-zinc, and ninhydrin on junk mail, magazines, and cardboard used for food or cosmetic packaging; the detection rate was low for all techniques and substrates. Trial 6 on cardboard packaging using 4% Lumicyano, black iron-oxide powder suspension, and magnetic powder also provided a low detection rate. Trial 7, using 4% Lumicyano → BY40, solvent black 3, and iron-oxide powder suspensions on cardboard packaging from a fast food chain, indicated that 4% Lumicyano → BY40 might be a suitable alternative to solvent black 3 and iron-oxide powder suspensions for suspected greasy marks.Item Metadata only A review of one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate techniques(Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, 2016-10-01) Stewart, Vanessa; Deacon, Paul; Farrugia, Kevin J.A review of recent research in the use of one-step fluorescent cyanoacrylate techniques is presented. Advantages and disadvantages of such techniques in comparison to two-step processes are discussed. Further studies and new experimental data are presented to aid this review: three one-step cyanoacrylate products (Lumicyano, PolyCyano UV and PECA Multiband) containing a fluorescent dye were tested to evaluate their effectiveness in developing latent fingermarks on polyethylene bags by means of a pseudo operational trial. The results were compared to the traditional two-step process of cyanoacrylate fuming followed by staining with ethanol-based basic yellow 40 (BY40). The study was conducted using sequential treatments of an initial fuming cycle, a second cycle and finally BY40 staining. LumicyanoTM and PolyCyano UV performed similarly before BY40 staining, with both providing good contrast and visibility under fluorescence. PECA Multiband, however, did not develop as many fingermarks and proved to be problematic for the fuming cabinet. Subsequent BY40 staining of fingermarks developed by all three one-step processes enabled the visualisation of new fingermarks.Item Open Access Technical note: A preliminary assessment of UV-C imaging using the Full Spectrum Imaging System (FSIS-II) for the detection of latent fingermarks(Forensic Science International, 2024-01-20) Stoddart, Will; Georgiou, Kyprianos; Deacon, Paul; Nichols-Drew, L.; Farrugia, Kevin J.The Full Spectrum Imaging System (FSIS-II) was assessed for the detection of latent fingermarks on a variety of substrates, specifically focusing on UV-C imaging for untreated marks and those that have been treated with cyanoacrylate (CA). The use of UV-C was effective at the detection of latent fingermarks on a variety of substrates and UV-C imaging may be effective when UV-A does not provide any fingermark detections on thermal paper. A Phase 2 and a small Phase 3 trials on aluminium cans were carried out with a detection sequence of UV-C imaging, CA fuming, UV-C imaging, UV-A imaging and BY40. For Phase 2 laboratory trials, the use of initial UV-C reflection was effective at removing the background and was a useful tool for initial screening. The use of UV-C was superior to UV-A after CA fuming and provided the highest overall number of high-quality marks. For phase 3 trials, the results showed that BY40 fluorescence was marginally more effective than UV-C imaging of CA-treated marks. This preliminary study shows that the FSIS-II and UV-C imaging can complement other methods for the detection of latent fingermarks.Item Embargo Using Vacuum Metal Deposition to Detect Latent Fingermarks on Thermal Paper: A Pseudo-operational Trial(Journal of Forensic Identification, 2021-10-25) Illston-Baggs, Gabrielle; Deacon, Paul; Nichols-Drew, L.; Farrugia, Kevin J.This work presents a pseudo-operational study on thermal paper for the detection of latent fingermarks with vacuum metal deposition (VMD) and the amino acid sensitive reagents, 1,2-indanedione and ninhydrin, on 120 thermal receipts. Two sequential treatments were employed on both sides of the paper (thermal and non-thermal side) and fingermarks developed by each process were counted and imaged. Both sequences started with the use of UV imaging, process A then continued with VMD gold/zinc and silver followed by the amino acid sensitive reagents whereas process B only utilised the amino acid sensitive reagents. Both processes detected a similar number of marks on the thermal side by the end of the sequence. The use of amino acid sensitive reagents in sequence after VMD enhancement (Process A) increases the detection rate on the thermal side by approximately a factor of two and a half. VMD did not further visualise all of the marks detected by UV; however, this was the case for the amino acid sensitive reagents. The use of VMD can be suitable for the detection of fingermarks on thermal paper in cases where the text needs to be retained; however, the use of 1,2-indanedione and ninhydrin, in sequence with VMD or alone, will detect a higher number of marks.Item Metadata only Water-soaked porous evidence: a comparison of processing methods(International Association for Identification, 2013-09-26) Deacon, Paul; Simmons, Rory K.; Farrugia, Kevin J.This study compared the U.K. Home Office formulation for physical developer (PD) against Oil Red O (ORO) and a modified formulation of physical developer (MPD) that uses Tween 20 instead of Synperonic-N for enhancing fingermarks. Three different donors deposited fingermarks on porous surfaces (white paper, leaflets, and cardboard), with aging periods varying from 7 to 28 days. None of the techniques that were tested provided enhancement of latent fingermarks on leaflets, whereas poor-quality enhancement was observed on cardboard. In contrast, all techniques were more successful on white paper surfaces. The results obtained on white paper suggested that PD and MPD performed similarly, with PD detecting 82.3% of the deposited fingermarks and MPD detecting 86.5% of the deposited fingermarks. PD yielded a higher percentage (38.5%) of fingermarks with fine ridge detail (i.e., those with grade 2 or above) than MPD (35.4%). ORO, however, yielded poor results, enhancing only 4.5% of latent fingermarks, but showed no ridge detail in any of the enhancements (i.e., only showed grade 1 enhancements.)